As weather changes in your region, you may be wondering the best way to protect your chickens on the less than perfect days. Snow, rain and falling temperatures could pose risks to your flock. The good news is, chickens are resilient, and, with proper safeguards, will survive throughout these weather fluctuations. However, you will want to plan for raising your chickens in cold weather to ensure their health and safety.
Follow these steps to keep your chickens safe in changing weather:
Step 1- Prepare the Coop
The first thing you will want to look for are drafts in your chicken coop. Are there holes or cracks that push cold air through the space? You should cover holes with plywood or plastic sheeting. Your coop should already have a waterproof roof, if not, you’ll want to seal that too. When sealing off the coop from cold, you will want to ensure you aren’t blocking off vital air flow to the chickens. The goal is to lessen the cold drafts on the chickens while allowing for proper ventilation near the top of the coop.
Chickens naturally have a high internal body temperature which allows them to stay very warm. In colder climates or regions you can add thick layers of straw or pine shavings to the coop to provide extra warmth and insulation. It is also helpful to place bales of hay inside and outside the cold weather coop for added protection.
Be sure to add a thermometer to your chicken coop to help monitor changing temperatures – too warm or too cold. It is important to keep an eye on how cold it gets to ensure the chickens’ drinking water doesn’t freeze. There are thermometers you can install that allow you to monitor temperatures on a smart device to easily keep an eye on your flock.
Step 2- Prepare their Outdoor Space
As you are preparing the coop for cold weather, the same techniques should be used on your flock’s outdoor space. You want to encourage your chickens to go out of the coop and play. Therefore, place tarps or plastic sheeting over the run space which will protect them from rain, snow, and wind. Layer the ground with straw which will make the space comfortable and protect their feet from frostbite.
Step 3- Prepare your Chickens
In addition to their feet, chickens can also get frostbite easily on their comb and wattles. If you see black tips on the wattles or the comb, your chicken may have frostbite. One protective measure would be to cover their wattles and comb with coconut oil or petroleum jelly.
To prevent your chickens from feeling “cooped up” all winter, consider adding some entertainment to their indoor space such as, more roosts, hanging treat baskets, a cabbage tetherball, or other toys to help pass the time.
You may notice your chickens take a break from egg laying in the winter. This is due to less sunlight hours and the annual molt-when chickens shed old feathers and grow new ones. During this time, it is important to continue to provide a balanced diet and supplement with extra protein snacks to help with the new feather growth.
In any weather, it is important to protect your chickens from the elements. Take some time, before the weather turns cold, to insulate and safeguard your chicken coop to ensure a healthy, happy flock!